The sites of the Sunday bus tour were nothing new for most passengers. It was mainly old and new retail centers and the road infastructures that connect them. The tour was less about new sites and more about fresh ideas to be smarter when it comes to growth.
"Instead of building out in the farms and forrest and open space, and continue to build new retail further out, we need to look at what we've abandoned," said Sheila Sheppard of the Partnership for Smarter Growth.
One idea of the tour is to apply the true theory of recycling by reusing spaces that have already been developed but have failed at their purpose. That includes reusing buildings and parking lots instead of building new ones. Smarter Growth says it's better for the environment and better for saving money.
"If we think we've had a problem finding money in this decade, it's going to be nothing compared to the next decade," said participant Del. Joe Morrissey, (D) Highland Springs.
The trip was to get civic leaders to be open minded about open spaces and think about how they can make smarter use of space that they already have.
"We know we're going to expand. We want to do it in a thoughtful way using existing infastructure and existing roads," said Richmond City Council Member Chris Hilbert.
"Instead of building out in the farms and forrest and open space, and continue to build new retail further out, we need to look at what we've abandoned," said Sheila Sheppard of the Partnership for Smarter Growth.
One idea of the tour is to apply the true theory of recycling by reusing spaces that have already been developed but have failed at their purpose. That includes reusing buildings and parking lots instead of building new ones. Smarter Growth says it's better for the environment and better for saving money.
"If we think we've had a problem finding money in this decade, it's going to be nothing compared to the next decade," said participant Del. Joe Morrissey, (D) Highland Springs.
The trip was to get civic leaders to be open minded about open spaces and think about how they can make smarter use of space that they already have.
"We know we're going to expand. We want to do it in a thoughtful way using existing infastructure and existing roads," said Richmond City Council Member Chris Hilbert.
